Netflix’s Live-Action Avatar Will Show a More Feminine Side of Toph, Says Miya Cech

Netflix is bringing Avatar: The Last Airbender to life again — this time with real actors — and fans already know there will be some changes. One big change is coming to a fan-favorite character: Toph Beifong.

In the original animated series, Toph was known as a tough, tomboyish Earthbender. She was strong, confident, and didn’t care much about being “girly.” But in the live-action version, actress Miya Cech says things will be a little different.

Speaking with The Direct on the red carpet for her new movie Marshmellow, Miya Cech shared what to expect from her version of Toph. She said that the character will be:

“A little older and slightly more feminine. I feel like I wanted to work into a very humanizing space for her because, you know, she was a cartoon.”

Cech is also making sure she stays true to the spirit of the character. She talked about meeting Michaela Jill Murphy, who voiced Toph in the original cartoon: “I have met Makayla who plays the voice of Toph, and I feel like we have both a very similar take in terms of process.”

Some fans may not be happy with the idea of making Toph more feminine. The original series showed Toph as proud of her strength and not worried about fitting in with typical “girl” ideas. But the show also touched on Toph’s feelings about how others saw her, even showing her in a dress once in Season 2 — which she did not enjoy.

It’s not just Toph who’s different in Netflix’s version. The live-action series also changed other characters, like making Katara more shy and uncertain than in the original.

Still, Miya Cech says she wants her version of Toph to feel more human and real. That might mean showing different sides of the Earthbender than fans are used to. Whether people like it or not, Toph is growing — in age, and maybe in style, too.

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